U.S. patent application number 17/552752 was filed with the patent office on 2022-06-23 for multi-function t-fitting.
The applicant listed for this patent is ROMET LIMITED. Invention is credited to MOHAMMADREZA SOUDMAND-ASLI, XINMIN WANG.
Application Number | 20220196193 17/552752 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | |
Filed Date | 2022-06-23 |
United States Patent
Application |
20220196193 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
SOUDMAND-ASLI; MOHAMMADREZA ;
et al. |
June 23, 2022 |
MULTI-FUNCTION T-FITTING
Abstract
A multi-functional fitting for piping, tubing or other conduit
comprises: a body defining a channel between three ports; a test
plug at one port; and a secondary valve at a second port. The test
plug comprises a self-closing valve. The test plug is configured to
receive a tip of an instrument such as a measuring probe. The
secondary valve comprises a different valve configuration and is
selectively operable between an open and a closed position.
Coupling mechanisms are provided at the second a third port. In an
example, the coupling mechanisms are different types. The fitting
may be T-shaped, Y shaped, shaped or the like. A method is provided
to measure a gas property or maintain a sensor processing unit
using the multi-functional fitting.
Inventors: |
SOUDMAND-ASLI; MOHAMMADREZA;
(TORONTO, CA) ; WANG; XINMIN; (MISSISSAUGA,
CA) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
ROMET LIMITED |
Mississauga |
|
CA |
|
|
Appl. No.: |
17/552752 |
Filed: |
December 16, 2021 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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63127558 |
Dec 18, 2020 |
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International
Class: |
F16L 37/00 20060101
F16L037/00; F16L 55/11 20060101 F16L055/11; G01F 1/26 20060101
G01F001/26 |
Claims
1. A multi-functional fitting for piping, tubing or other conduit
comprising: a body defining a channel between three ports; a test
plug at one port; and a secondary valve to selectively open and
close a second port.
2. The multi-functional fitting according to of claim 1, wherein
the test plug comprises a self-closing valve.
3. The multi-functional fitting according to claim 2, wherein the
channel between the test plug and a third port remains open when
the secondary valve is in a closed position.
4. The multi-functional fitting according to claim 2, wherein the
secondary valve comprises a different valve configuration from the
test plug.
5. The multi-functional fitting according to claim 2, comprising a
handle coupled to operate the secondary valve between an open
position and a closed position.
6. The multi-functional fitting according to claim 5, wherein the
handle is lockable to prevent tampering.
7. The multi-functional fitting according to claim 1, wherein the
test plug is configured to receive a tip of an instrument.
8. The multi-functional fitting according to claim 1 comprising a
coupling mechanism at each of the other two of the three ports.
9. The multi-functional fitting according to claim 8, wherein the
coupling mechanism is any of a threaded fitting, a compression
fitting and a quick release fitting.
10. The multi-functional fitting according to claim 1 configured as
a T-shape.
11. A meter set to measure a flow of fluid comprising: a meter body
having a channel through which the fluid is to flow and a meter
body port in communication with the channel; a sensor processing
unit coupled to the meter body, the sensor processing unit
configured to measure a property of the fluid; and a multi-function
fitting comprising: a body defining a channel between three ports;
a test plug at one port; and a secondary valve to selectively open
and close a second port; wherein the fitting is coupled to the
meter body port and the sensor processing unit such that the
secondary valve selectively couples fluid to the sensor processing
unit and provides access to the fluid via the test plug.
12. A method for a meter set to measure a flow of fluid, the method
comprising: inserting an instrument probe into a test plug of a
multi-function fitting; obtaining a reading of a property; and
withdrawing the instrument probe; wherein the meter set comprises:
a meter body having a channel through which the fluid is to flow
and a meter body port in communication with the channel; a sensor
processing unit coupled to the meter body, the sensor processing
unit configured to measure a property of the fluid; and the
multi-function fitting comprising: a body defining a channel
between three ports; the test plug at one port; and a secondary
valve to selectively open and close a second port; and wherein the
fitting is coupled to the meter body port and the sensor processing
unit such that the secondary valve selectively couples fluid to the
sensor processing unit and provides access to the fluid via the
test plug.
13. The method of claim 12 comprising: selectively closing the
secondary valve to decouple the sensor processing unit; and
performing maintenance of the sensor processing unit.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE
[0001] The present application claims a domestic benefit of U.S.
Provisional Application No. 63/127,558 filed Dec. 18, 2020, the
entire contents of which are incorporated by reference.
FIELD
[0002] The present disclosure relates to piping, tubing or other
conduit and more particularly to a multi-function fitting therefor,
for example, a T-fitting such as for assisting with providing
access to a material under flow such as for measuring or other
purpose.
BACKGROUND
[0003] Piping, tubing or other conduit is useful to supply a
material therethrough, for example, a fluid such as a liquid or
gas. By way of example, but without limitation, natural gas is
supplied via piping and meter sets, such as a positive displacement
meter, is useful to measure a flow of gas. Other properties may be
measured such as pressure, temperature, etc., by or in association
with the meter set.
[0004] It may be assistive to provide short term, on demand access
to a fluid under flow or to an interior of a meter set or tubing
such as to measure a property or to inject a material into the
flow, etc.
SUMMARY
[0005] A multi-functional fitting for piping, tubing or other
conduit comprises: a body defining a channel between three ports; a
test plug at one port; and a secondary valve at a second port. The
test plug comprises a self-closing valve. The test plug is
configured to receive a tip of an instrument such as a measuring
probe. The secondary valve comprises a different valve
configuration and is selectively operable between an open and a
closed position. Coupling mechanisms are provided at the second a
third port. In an example, the coupling mechanisms are different
types. The fitting may be T-shaped, Y shaped, shaped or the like. A
method is provided to measure a gas property or maintain a sensor
processing unit using the multi-functional fitting.
[0006] In an embodiment, there is provided a multi-functional
fitting for piping, tubing or other conduit comprising: a body
defining a channel between three ports; a test plug at one port;
and a secondary valve to selectively open and close a second
port.
[0007] In an embodiment, the test plug comprises a self-closing
valve. In an embodiment, the channel between the test plug and a
third port remains open when the secondary valve is in a closed
position. In an embodiment, the secondary valve comprises a
different valve configuration from the test plug.
[0008] In an embodiment, the multi-functional fitting comprises a
handle coupled to operate the secondary valve between an open
position and a closed position. In an embodiment, the handle is
lockable to prevent tampering.
[0009] In an embodiment, the test plug is configured to receive a
tip of an instrument.
[0010] In an embodiment, the multi-functional fitting comprises a
coupling mechanism at any of the three ports. The coupling
mechanism may be any of a threaded fitting, a compression fitting
and a quick release fitting.
[0011] In an embodiment, the multi-functional fitting has a
T-shape.
[0012] In an embodiment, there is provided a meter set to measure a
flow of fluid comprising: a meter body having a channel through
which the fluid is to flow and a meter body port in communication
with the channel; a sensor processing unit coupled to the meter
body, the sensor processing unit configured to measure a property
of the fluid; and a multi-function fitting in accordance with any
one of the preceding claims, the fitting coupled to the meter body
port and the sensor processing unit such that the secondary valve
selectively couples fluid to the sensor processing unit and
provides access to the fluid via the test plug.
[0013] In an embodiment, there is provided a method for a meter set
having a multi-functional fitting, the method comprising: inserting
an instrument probe into the test plug; obtaining reading of a
property; and withdrawing the instrument probe.
[0014] In an embodiment, there is provided a method for a meter set
having a multi-functional fitting, the method comprising:
selectively closing the secondary valve to decouple the sensor
processing unit; and performing maintenance of the sensor
processing unit.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0015] FIG. 1 is an illustration of a meter set comprising a
multi-function t-fitting in accordance with a first embodiment.
[0016] FIG. 2 is an illustration of the multi-function t-fitting
according to FIG. 1 shown in isolation.
[0017] FIG. 3 is a side view of the test plug with secondary valve
assembly according to FIG. 2.
[0018] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of FIG. 3 along the line
A-A showing the self-closing valve in accordance with an
embodiment.
[0019] FIG. 5 is an enlargement of a portion B of FIG. 3 showing a
quick connection coupling in accordance with an embodiment.
[0020] FIGS. 6A, 6B, 6C and 6D are valve disc options in accordance
with embodiments.
[0021] FIG. 7 is an illustration of a multi-function t-fitting in
accordance with a second embodiment.
[0022] FIG. 8 is a side view of the multi-function t-fitting of
FIG. 7.
[0023] FIGS. 9 and 10 are respective illustrations of a
multi-function t-fitting in accordance with a third and fourth
embodiment.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0024] FIG. 1 is an illustration of a meter set 100. Meter set 100
comprises a meter body 102 and a processing unit 104 coupled
thereto. Further coupled to the meter body 102 is a multi-function
t-fitting 106 (hereinafter, sometimes referenced as "fitting 106"),
in accordance with a first embodiment, coupled at an inlet-side
port 108 of the body 102. Fitting 106 further couples to processing
unit 104 via conduit 110 to processing unit port 112. Meter set
100, in the present embodiment, is a positive displacement rotary
meter to measure gas as it flows through body 102. Inlet-side port
108 is at an inlet side of body 102 and an outlet-side port 114 is
at an outlet side. In the present embodiment, a flow of gas through
the meter set is from a top to a bottom of the figure. In another
embodiment (not shown), gas flows in an opposite direction. In
another embodiment (not shown), fitting 106 is mounted at
outlet-side port 114.
[0025] FIG. 2 is an illustration of the fitting 106, according to
FIG. 1, in isolation. FIG. 3 is a side view of the fitting 106
according to FIG. 2. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of FIG. 3
along the line A-A.
[0026] Multi-function t-fitting 106 comprises a test plug 116
having a self-closing valve 118 therein. Multi-function t-fitting
106 comprises a secondary valve 120. In the embodiment, secondary
valve 120 is operated by a handle 122 between an open and a closed
position.
[0027] In the embodiment, handle 122 is lockable and is connected
to a stem 124 and provides a sliding sleeve 126 and an aperture 128
for installation of a lock (not shown) to prevent tampering and
vandalism. Handle 122 is optional.
[0028] In an embodiment (not shown), multi-function t-fitting 106
is provide without handle 122. Rather an end of the stem 124 is
provided with a low profile surface (e.g. a lug nut) acting as a
security feature similar to security wheel locking bolt such as
McGard.TM. products of McGard LLC. In some embodiments then a
special tool must be used to rotate the stem.
[0029] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of FIG. 3 along the line
A-A showing the self-closing valve in accordance with an
embodiment. Fitting 106 comprises a body 130 to house the
self-closing valve 118 and secondary valve 120. Body 130 provides,
in the present embodiment, a port 132 (e.g. an inlet in the present
embodiment), a port 134 (a first outlet in the present embodiment)
and a port 136 (a second outlet). A channel (e.g. 138) also in a
T-shaped configuration extends through body 130 to couple the three
ports 132, 134 and 1136 (e.g. coupling the inlet 132 to the outlets
134 and 136 and vice versa). Body 130 is T-shaped in the present
embodiment. Other shapes of the body 130 and/or channel 138 may
comprise a Y-shape, a 3 shape, etc. The channel 138 between the
test plug 116 and port 132 remains open even when the secondary
valve is in a closed position.
[0030] In the embodiment, port 132 is configured with coupling
mechanism 133 comprising a 1/4 NPT thread for mateable coupling
with inlet-side port 109 or outlet-side port 114 of meter set
100.
[0031] In the embodiment, self-closing valve 118 at port 136 is
sealed by a removable, replaceable cap 140 and self-closing valve
118 comprises a pair of rubber seals 142 (each with a self-closing
slit therein) and a retaining ring 144. With cap 140 removed (not
shown), self-closing valve 118 permits an instrument tip (not
shown), such as a measurement probe, to be inserted through port
136 and through the dual rubber seals 142 into the T-shaped channel
138 for example, to measure pressure or temperature or other
property.
[0032] Via the test plug 116, fitting 106 thus provides access to
and into meter body 102, at least for a sufficiently long probe. In
practice, when the meter set is in operation and an impeller
therein is turning in response to the flow, an instrument tip is
not inserted in the meter body.
[0033] FIG. 5 is an enlargement of a portion B of FIG. 3 showing a
quick connection coupling mechanism 146 at outlet 134, in
accordance with an embodiment. Coupling mechanism 146 fits a plug
148 to a socket 150 via a moveable sleeve 152 and a spring 154
between the socket 150 and sleeve 152, the sleeve is held on socket
150 by a retaining ring 156. Socket 150 provides a mount for an
O-ring 158 for sealing engagement of the plug 148 and the plug 148
is further retained in socket 150 by locking balls 160 between the
plug 148 and the socket 150. In the embodiment a male/female thread
or compression fitting 162 is provided at the free end of plug
148.
[0034] With reference again to FIG. 3, there is shown internally to
body 130, via broken lines, components of secondary valve 120
comprising a stem 124 and a disc 164A in a seat 165 inside body 130
where the disc 164A is rotatable by the stem to open or close the
secondary valve 118 and thus open or close passage of fluid in
channel 138 coupling inlet 132 to outlet 134.
[0035] FIGS. 6A, 6B, 6C and 6D illustrate valve configuration
options 164A, 164B, 164C and 164D in accordance with embodiments
showing a spherical disc, cylindrical disc, tapered disc and a
needle configuration respectively. The broken lines in the
respective options represent a valve channel 166 therethrough. In
FIG. 164D the seat 165 is shaped to accommodate the needle closure
which needle travels up and down a transverse portion of the valve
channel 166 that is provide by the seat 165. Thus valve channel 166
is selective coupled to permit flow of fluid from channel 138 when
the valve 118 is open. For any of options 164A, 164B, and 164C for
example, seat 165 is fitted to the valve body 130 and made of
softer materials such as PTFE or various elastomers to provide
sealing engagement with one of the disc options.
[0036] The embodiment shown and described with reference to FIGS.
1-6D thus provides a self-closing valve 116 in line with input flow
and a secondary output port at 136 with a quick connection 146.
[0037] FIG. 7 is an illustration of a multi-function t-fitting 200
(hereinafter sometimes "fitting 200") in accordance with a second
embodiment. FIG. 8 is a side view thereof. The embodiment shown and
described with reference to FIGS. 7 and 8 provides a self-closing
valve 118 perpendicular to input flow and a secondary output port
at 136 with quick connection coupling mechanism 146. The components
of fitting 200 are substantial similar to those of multi-function
t-fitting 106. It will be appreciated that body 202 has a different
configuration than body 130, though is still generally T-shaped.
FIG. 5 shows an enlarged portion B of the embodiment of FIGS. 7 and
8 as well.
[0038] Each of the self-closing valve 116 and the secondary valve
118 have a configuration in accordance with any of the embodiments
as shown and described in association with the first embodiment of
multi-function t-fitting 106.
[0039] FIGS. 9 and 10 are illustrations of a multi-function
t-fitting 300 and multi-function t-fitting 400 in accordance with
respective third and fourth embodiments. Multi-function t-fitting
300 is similar to multi-function t-fitting 106 but with a different
coupling mechanism 302 at port 134. Multi-function t-fitting 400 is
similar to multi-function t-fitting 200 but with a different
coupling mechanism 402 at port 134. Couple mechanism 302 comprises
a (female) threaded fitting and coupling mechanism 402 comprises a
compression fitting. Other coupling mechanisms may be provided, for
example, at ports 132 and 134 in any of the embodiments.
[0040] Though not shown, a coupling mechanism may be provided at
port 136 in any of the embodiments, for example to couple a
measurement instrument thereto.
[0041] Thus, in an embodiment, any of fittings 106, 200, 300 and
400 installable on inlet/outlet ports of a rotary gas meter such as
meter set 100, such as to facilitate an end user to safely and
easily take meter pressure and temperature readings on a
pressurized gas line through a test plug--a port with a
self-closing valve--saving time and money by eliminating the need
for permanently installed pressure gauges and temperature
indicators.
[0042] The fittings also have a secondary port that is connectable
to a sensor processing unit such as AdEM-PTZ.TM. or AdEM-Tq.TM.
available from Romet Limited, Mississauga, Ontario, Canada)
configured to measure a property such as pressure. A secondary
valve is integrated with this secondary port to be able to shut
on/off the gas passageway to facilitate an installation or
maintenance of the sensor processing unit.
[0043] During operation when gas is flowing through the meter, a
cap on the test plug (if present) is removed, a pressure or
temperature test probe is inserted through the self-closing valve
(through the slits in the middle to take a reading. When the probe
is removed, the two rubber seals will close automatically.
[0044] Components of the fitting may be plastic, rubber or metal
(e.g. copper, brass, etc.) as is known and as is selected in
accordance with a purpose or proposed installation.
[0045] Though primarily described with reference to a natural gas
installation other fluid installations are contemplated such as
water. A fitting herein may useful for other areas including a
medical area such as for IV tubing.
[0046] Practical implementation may include any or all of the
features described herein. These and other aspects, features and
various combinations may be expressed as methods, apparatus,
systems, means for performing functions, program products, and in
other ways, combining the features described herein. A number of
embodiments have been described. Nevertheless, it will be
understood that various modifications can be made without departing
from the spirit and scope of the processes and techniques described
herein. In addition, other steps can be provided, or steps can be
eliminated, from the described process, and other components can be
added to, or removed from, the described apparatus or sytems.
Accordingly, other embodiments are within the scope of the
following claims.
[0047] Throughout the description and claims of this specification,
the word "comprise", "contain" and variations of them mean
"including but not limited to" and they are not intended to (and do
not) exclude other components, integers or steps. Throughout this
specification, the singular encompasses the plural unless the
context requires otherwise. In particular, where the indefinite
article is used, the specification is to be understood as
contemplating plurality as well as singularity, unless the context
requires otherwise.
[0048] Features, integers, characteristics, or groups described in
conjunction with a particular aspect, embodiment or example of the
invention are to be understood to be applicable to any other
aspect, embodiment or example unless incompatible therewith. All of
the features disclosed herein (including any accompanying claims,
abstract and drawings), and/or all of the steps of any method or
process so disclosed, may be combined in any combination, except
combinations where at least some of such features and/or steps are
mutually exclusive. The invention is not restricted to the details
of any foregoing examples or embodiments. The invention extends to
any novel one, or any novel combination, of the features disclosed
in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract
and drawings) or to any novel one, or any novel combination, of the
steps of any method or process disclosed.
* * * * *